Own Correspondent in Johannesburg, South Africa

The SIDA-funded Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV and AIDS Governance Project of the SADC Parliamentary Forum has convened a budget analysis retreat for researchers and staff of national parliaments to strengthen budgetary practices for SRHR advocacy.

The retreat began in Johannesburg on 28 September 2024 with the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Ms Boemo Sekgoma, underscoring the need for rigorous budget planning in the realm of SRHR.

“Without a budget, nothing can be achieved,” the SG said when she officially opened the retreat, highlighting the role financial resources play in implementing essential health initiatives. She highlighted the interconnectedness of budget allocations and successful SRHR outcomes.

“If an item is not budgeted for, then all processes around its use will not occur,” she said.

Ms. Sekgoma expressed gratitude to Mr. Toffa Munashe, a former SRHR researcher under the Parliament of Zimbabwe whose dedication and innovative approach had significantly impacted the SIDA-funded SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project.

She said Mr. Toffa had bagged two MoUs for the Forum and had serviced the Social Development and Special Programmes Committee (HSDP) with distinction.

“That is an officer and a gentleman,” she noted.

She said that for the first time the retreat had brought together SRHR Researchers and Project Officers under one roof to engage in training.

“This is the very first occasion that we have been able to gather SRHR Researchers from national Parliaments under the flagship of a single event,” Ms Sekgoma stated and expressed optimism that participants would apply the skills they would acquire during the two-day event.

Referencing previous discussions from the Human and Social Development and Special Programmes Committee, she stated that budget-related parliamentary functions were often overlooked.

“Public health financing and how governments budget for health are crucial issues that we must address,” Ms. Sekgoma said.

She said inadequate budgeting would lead to failure in combating gender-based violence and implementing comprehensive sexuality education.

Ms Sekgoma urged participants to engage with budget committee chairpersons and members.

“I am confident that you will become brilliant emissaries of SRHR budget planning,” she said.

The retreat focuses on budget analysis for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) researchers and seeks to strengthen the capacity of lawmakers and researchers in the SADC region.

According to the Bretton Woods institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, effectively analysing state budgets is essential for pinpointing gaps in financial provisions and ensuring that they adequately reflect citizen needs.

In the context of SRHR, the retreat will focus on identifying gaps within national budgets and how they correspond with the governments’ commitments to health and gender equality, as outlined in  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The retreat underscores the significance of fiscal policy in enhancing universal access to SRHR services and holding governments accountable for financial allocations.

One of the main objectives of the retreat is to enhance the expertise of SRHR researchers, allowing them to support Members of Parliament (MPs) in budget committees and oversight functions.

The sessions include interactive discussions led by budget officers from National Parliaments in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, aiming to promote peer learning and share best practices for integrating SRHR into budgetary processes.

Key outcomes expected from the retreat include fostering a deeper understanding of the state budget adoption process among participants, advancing interconnected objectives under the SRHR Project, and ensuring that domestic budgets remain responsive to SRHR and climate accountability.